NASA may have retired the Space Shuttle, but there are still plenty of manned space missions for the International Space Station and beyond. To ensure that there is a pool of qualified candidates, the agency is accepting applications for the Astronaut Candidate Program.

"For 50 years, American astronauts have led the exploration of our solar system," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "Today we are getting a glimpse of why that will remain true for the next half-century. Make no mistake about it, human space flight is alive and well at NASA."

The minimum qualification includes a Bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience. Most pilot candidates have extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft, while mission specialist applicants frequently have significant qualifications in engineering or science.

NASA is also seeking teachers from kindergarten through Grade 12 as part of its Educator Astronaut Program. It is similar to the Teacher in Space Project, which was cancelled after Christa McAuliffe died in the Challenger Disaster.

Qualified individuals can submit their applications through the federal government's USAJobs.gov website through January 27, 2012.

Extensive applicant interviews and evaluations will be undertaken in 2012, and NASA expects to announce the final selections early in 2013. Astronaut training will begin that summer.